Clamping Structure between Header and Side Plate of Automotive Heater Core

ABSTRACT

This invention involves clinching tabs between the header and the side plate of an automotive heater core, which belongs to the field of auto parts technology. Said structure includes the headers ( 4 ) and the side plates ( 5 ), the characteristics of said structure are that there are clinching tabs ( 4.2 ) located at the center of the minor dimension of the headers ( 4 ) and the center of the ends of the side plates ( 5 ). Said clinching tabs ( 4.2 ) are clamped to the center of the ends of the side plates ( 5 ) to secure the side plates ( 5 ) and the header ( 4 ) of the automotive heater core. By using the clinching tabs, the connection between the side plates and headers is firmer and the overall angular rigidity of the automotive heater core is enhanced, thus the cooling fins are better protected from damage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application No. 200810018984.0 filed Jan. 30, 2008, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention involves an automotive heater core, particularly a clamped structure between the header and the side plate of an automotive heater core. It belongs to the field of auto parts technology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An automotive heater core is a radiator dissipating heat into the car cabin using cooling water from the engine, it includes: inlet pipe, outlet pipe, upper tank, bottom tank, header, tube, cooling fins and side plate. Old art seeks to secure the side plates to the header by brazing the cooling fins to the side plates so as to prevent the cooling fins from damage and to strengthen the overall structure. This old art makes the connection between the side plates and the header not secure and firm enough, which causes the comparatively low overall angular rigidity of the automotive heater core, and the cooling fins are not well protected from damages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above shortages, and to provide a clamped structure between the header and the side plate of an automotive heater core to connect them more firmly.

The purpose is achieved through the clamped structure between the header and the side plate of an automotive heater core including the headers (4) and the side plates (5). It has the characteristics that there are clinching tabs at the center of the minor dimension of the said headers (4) and the center of the ends of the side plates (5). Said clinching tabs (4.2) are clamped to the ends of the side plates to secure the side plates to the header of the automotive heater core.

By using this clamped structure, the connection between the side plates and headers is firmer and the overall angular rigidity of the automotive heater core is enhanced, thus the cooling fins are better protected from damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the overall view of the structure of the automotive heater core involved in this invention

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the involved header and the side plate of the automotive heater core before being clamped

FIG. 3 is the breakdown drawing which shows the structure of the involved header and the side plate of the automotive heater core being clamped

FIG. 4 shows the overall appearance of the automotive heater core using this invention

In the drawing: inlet pipe 1, outlet pipe 2, upper tank 3, header 4, side plate 5, tube 6, cooling fins 7, bottom tank 8, and clinching tabs 4.2.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In reference to FIG. 1, an automotive heater core includes eight parts: inlet pipe 1, outlet pipe 2, upper tank 3, bottom tank 8, header 4, tube 6, cooling fins 7 and side plate 5. There are clinching tabs (4.2) located at the center of the minor dimension of the said headers (4) and the center of the ends of the side plates (5) as shown in FIG. 2, 3. Said clinching tabs (4.2) are clamped to the ends of the side plates 5 to secure the side plates 5 to the header of the automotive heater core as shown in FIG. 4. 

1. A clamping structure between a header and a side plate of an automotive heater core comprising the headers, the side plates, each header has clinching tabs located at the center of the board for connecting with the side plates, the clinching tabs are clamped to the ends of the side plates. 